[Johnngnky]

VPNs are basically compulsory, I'd imagine. It's very hard to access Chinese resources from outside the country, as most services require a Chinese phone number. Just getting into a Baidu Pan account is a pretty big nuisance. Are people typically arrested for using VPNs or visiting sites like ours?

From what I know, VPNs aren't illegal in most of china. They are discouraged but permitted by law. Exception applies in sensitive areas like xinjiang, but I am from guangdong, the "democratic" part of the country.

Yes, VPNs are compulsory for us, in fact, I don't recall meeting a <25 y/o that doesn't use a VPN.

That's pretty interesting. If they're not illegal, then what is the point of the censorship? You're not stopping anyone getting around the censorship, so why continue to do it? Perhaps you may be able to provide insight I don't have
Thanks for being open with us.

Here's an extract (and translation) of one of the blogs from zhuhai's government (my city):
https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1620812850142028193

经审讯，陈某贤（男，广东廉江市人）承认了其从2018年5月至11月期间，通过租用境外VPS服务器，转租给他人上网“翻墙”的方式，非法牟利的违法事实。

As a case example, Chan (Male, Guangdong Nianggong City) was guilty of renting international VPS servers, and reselling unfiltered internet to others between May and November on 2018. This is an unlicensed fundraising via internet, and as such is illegal.

However,

《网络安全法》第二十七条、第六十三条等规定，应依法查处研发、销售、推广“翻墙”工具的违法行为。

《关于清理规范互联网网络接入服务市场的通知》主要是为了更好地规范市场的行为，规范的对象主要是未经电信主管部门批准，无国际通信业务经营资质的企业和个人，租用国际专线或者VPN，违规开展跨境电信业务经营活动。

关于跨境开展经营活动的相关规定，不会对国内外企业和广大用户开展这项正常的跨境访问互联网，以及他合法依规开展各类经营活动，主要是对那些无证经营的、不符合规范的进行清理。对于依法依规的企业和个人是不受影响的。

According to "Internet Safety Law" Clause 27 and 63, it is illegal to develop, sell, or promote the use of filter avoidance.

Regarding the recently published "Notice about safe internet", it was written to control and motivate the market and trade. The restriction's main targets are businesses and individuals who have not yet applied for the official VPN from the communications ministry, but instead rented proxies or VPNs from international organizations in order to do unsolicited trading.

On the other hand, as for the regulations on start ups and businesses willing to do international trade, they will not be allowed to interact with international entities and customers via the internet without applying for a license. These restrictions should pose no hurdles to businesses and individuals who comply with the procedures.

因为通过网络来传播有害甚至是暴恐信息，是中国法律所不允许的。

According to the Chinese law, any information transmitted via the internet that is harmful, are disallowed.

TL;DR:
Making money using an unlicensed VPN or visiting harmful sites with an unlicensed VPN is illegal,
Using unlicensed VPNs as an individual is allowed, as long as it is used responsibly.

There's even guides online teaching people about VPNS:
https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/113919857
https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/71534299

[mothered]

Making money using an unlicensed VPN or visiting harmful sites with an unlicensed VPN is illegal,

So If It's "licensed", It's perfectly fine.

[Johnngnky]

Making money using an unlicensed VPN or visiting harmful sites with an unlicensed VPN is illegal,

So If It's "licensed", It's perfectly fine.

Using unlicensed VPN is also alright, as long as no money is involved.

[mothered]

Using unlicensed VPN is also alright, as long as no money is involved.

Got It.

They seem pretty firm with how VPNs must be utilized.

[Jiggly]

From what I know, VPNs aren't illegal in most of china. They are discouraged but permitted by law. Exception applies in sensitive areas like xinjiang, but I am from guangdong, the "democratic" part of the country.

Yes, VPNs are compulsory for us, in fact, I don't recall meeting a <25 y/o that doesn't use a VPN.

That's pretty interesting. If they're not illegal, then what is the point of the censorship? You're not stopping anyone getting around the censorship, so why continue to do it? Perhaps you may be able to provide insight I don't have
Thanks for being open with us.

Here's an extract (and translation) of one of the blogs from zhuhai's government (my city):
https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1620812850142028193

经审讯，陈某贤（男，广东廉江市人）承认了其从2018年5月至11月期间，通过租用境外VPS服务器，转租给他人上网“翻墙”的方式，非法牟利的违法事实。

As a case example, Chan (Male, Guangdong Nianggong City) was guilty of renting international VPS servers, and reselling unfiltered internet to others between May and November on 2018. This is an unlicensed fundraising via internet, and as such is illegal.

However,

《网络安全法》第二十七条、第六十三条等规定，应依法查处研发、销售、推广“翻墙”工具的违法行为。

《关于清理规范互联网网络接入服务市场的通知》主要是为了更好地规范市场的行为，规范的对象主要是未经电信主管部门批准，无国际通信业务经营资质的企业和个人，租用国际专线或者VPN，违规开展跨境电信业务经营活动。

关于跨境开展经营活动的相关规定，不会对国内外企业和广大用户开展这项正常的跨境访问互联网，以及他合法依规开展各类经营活动，主要是对那些无证经营的、不符合规范的进行清理。对于依法依规的企业和个人是不受影响的。

According to "Internet Safety Law" Clause 27 and 63, it is illegal to develop, sell, or promote the use of filter avoidance.

Regarding the recently published "Notice about safe internet", it was written to control and motivate the market and trade. The restriction's main targets are businesses and individuals who have not yet applied for the official VPN from the communications ministry, but instead rented proxies or VPNs from international organizations in order to do unsolicited trading.

On the other hand, as for the regulations on start ups and businesses willing to do international trade, they will not be allowed to interact with international entities and customers via the internet without applying for a license. These restrictions should pose no hurdles to businesses and individuals who comply with the procedures.

因为通过网络来传播有害甚至是暴恐信息，是中国法律所不允许的。

According to the Chinese law, any information transmitted via the internet that is harmful, are disallowed.

TL;DR:
Making money using an unlicensed VPN or visiting harmful sites with an unlicensed VPN is illegal,
Using unlicensed VPNs as an individual is allowed, as long as it is used responsibly.

There's even guides online teaching people about VPNS:
https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/113919857
https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/71534299

Wow, this got even more fascinating. So they don't mind too much that people are using VPNs in day to day life, as long as it's not unlicensed when you're trading etc. I'm glad there is leeway for the average person at least.

[green314]

I've just read that China isn't apparently permitting entering in the country of a group of the investigation team of the WHO regards the coronavirus.

If China is deliberately avoiding or postponing this team's entrance in the country, it would be very rude and disrespectful towards all other countries that should and have to know what it is going on there since all the data provided by China are undoubtedly altered and for this reason they should be fined for this.

This is my opinion.

[Jiggly]

I've just read that China isn't apparently permitting entering in the country of a group of the investigation team of the WHO regards the coronavirus.

If China is deliberately avoiding or postponing this team's entrance in the country, it would be very rude and disrespectful towards all other countries that should and have to know what it is going on there since all the data provided by China are undoubtedly altered and for this reason they should be fined for this.

This is my opinion.

How does the WHO/international organizations enforce this, though?